Algae-based plastic

ABSTRACT

The present processes are used to convert green algae into a moldable bioplastic. Specifically, the present processes use a green alga such as  Cladophora  sp. Combined with myrrh to obtain the moldable bioplastic. Once obtained, the moldable bioplastic can form a composite, optionally with other environmentally friendly materials, to obtain eco-friendly products, such as a biodegradable and sustainable container such as a bag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.18/124,767, filed on Mar. 22, 2023.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure of the present patent application relates to algae-basedplastics or bioplastics, and particularly to algae-based plasticsderived from marine green algae.

2. Description of the Related Art

Plastics are used in many industries. The vast majority of traditionalchemical plastics are non-biodegradable and they pollute ourenvironment, unlike plant-based plastics that are biodegradable andmaintain environmental sustainability. Production from nonrenewableresources and their resistance to biodegradation are issues that deterus from relying on conventional petrochemical-based plastics. In thiscontext, bioplastics, or plant-based plastics, derived from naturalsources are emerging as sustainable and safe alternatives. Bioplasticsare increasingly relied upon for their pro-environment aspects. However,much more work needs to be done to develop suitable plant-basedbioplastics that can be used as complete chemical plastic replacements.

Therefore, researchers have recently focused on novel and potentiallyeco-friendly control tools. Algae are a group of photosyntheticorganisms which inhabit a wide range of environments and are plentifullyavailable. The development of plant-based bioplastics produced fromalgae represent potentially safe, applicable, and low-cost alternativesfor traditional chemical plastics, which negatively affect theenvironment and health.

Thus, new bioplastics derived from algae solving the aforementionedproblems are desired.

SUMMARY

In certain embodiments, the present subject matter relates to newbioplastics derived from algae, particularly green algae, processes forobtaining the same, and eco-friendly containers implementing the same.

In one embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a process forpreparing a moldable bioplastic, the process comprising: mixing anair-dried algal biomass of green algae with ground myrrh in a solvent toobtain a mixture; heating the mixture to obtain a heated mixture;homogenizing the heated mixture to obtain a homogenized heated mixture;mixing the heated mixture with additional solvent to form a homogenousthick film; and forming the moldable bioplastic from the homogenousthick film. This last step can be done by air drying the homogenousthick film. In another embodiment, the present subject matter relates toa process for preparing a moldable bioplastic, the process comprising:mixing an air-dried algal biomass of green algae with ground myrrh in asolvent along with glycerin (50%) to obtain a mixture; homogenizing themixture; and air drying the homogenized mixture to form the moldablebioplastic.

In an additional embodiment, the present subject matter relates to amoldable bioplastic produced according to the processes describedherein.

In a further embodiment, the present subject matter relates to acomposition comprising a composite of the heated moldable bioplasticdescribed herein and one or more optional additional components, suchas, by way of non-limiting example, glycerin. In other embodiments, thepresent subject matter relates to an environmentally neutral containercomprising this composition.

These and other features of the present subject matter will becomereadily apparent upon further review of the following specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions are provided for the purpose of understandingthe present subject matter and for construing the appended patentclaims.

Throughout the application, where compositions are described as having,including, or comprising specific components, or where processes aredescribed as having, including, or comprising specific process steps, itis contemplated that compositions of the present teachings can alsoconsist essentially of, or consist of, the recited components, and thatthe processes of the present teachings can also consist essentially of,or consist of, the recited process steps.

It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims,the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the application, where an element or component is said to be includedin and/or selected from a list of recited elements or components, itshould be understood that the element or component can be any one of therecited elements or components, or the element or component can beselected from a group consisting of two or more of the recited elementsor components. Further, it should be understood that elements and/orfeatures of a composition or a method described herein can be combinedin a variety of ways without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent teachings, whether explicit or implicit herein.

The use of the terms “include,” “includes”, “including,” “have,” “has,”or “having” should be generally understood as open-ended andnon-limiting unless specifically stated otherwise.

The use of the singular herein includes the plural (and vice versa)unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, where the use of theterm “about” is before a quantitative value, the present teachings alsoinclude the specific quantitative value itself, unless specificallystated otherwise. As used herein, the term “about” refers to a ±10%variation from the nominal value unless otherwise indicated or inferred.

The term “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequentlydescribed event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that thedescription includes instances where said event or circumstance occursand instances in which it does not.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the presently described subject matter pertains.

Where a range of values is provided, for example, concentration ranges,percentage ranges, or ratio ranges, it is understood that eachintervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit, unlessthe context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lowerlimit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in thatstated range, is encompassed within the described subject matter. Theupper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently beincluded in the smaller ranges, and such embodiments are alsoencompassed within the described subject matter, subject to anyspecifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated rangeincludes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both ofthose included limits are also included in the described subject matter.

Throughout the application, descriptions of various embodiments use“comprising” language. However, it will be understood by one of skill inthe art, that in some specific instances, an embodiment canalternatively be described using the language “consisting essentiallyof” or “consisting of”.

For purposes of better understanding the present teachings and in no waylimiting the scope of the teachings, unless otherwise indicated, allnumbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and othernumerical values used in the specification and claims, are to beunderstood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”.Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parametersset forth in the following specification and attached claims areapproximations that may vary depending upon the desired propertiessought to be obtained. At the very least, each numerical parametershould at least be construed in light of the number of reportedsignificant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

In one embodiment, the present subject matter relates to a process forpreparing a moldable bioplastic, the process comprising: mixing a dryalgal biomass of a green algae with ground myrrh in a solvent to obtaina mixture; heating the mixture to obtain a heated mixture; homogenizingthe heated mixture to obtain a homogenized heated mixture; mixing theheated mixture with additional solvent to form a homogenous thick film;and forming the moldable or shapable bioplastic from the homogenousthick film. This last step can be done by air drying the homogenousthick film.

In one embodiment, the green algae used in the present process is marineCladophora sp. of the genus Cladophora. Cladophora sp. is a filamentousbranching alga that may grow in marine or freshwater environments, wherethe composition largely depends on the environment from which the algaebiomass is collected or the algae cultivation conditions, and season. Inanother embodiment in this regard, the Cladophora sp. algae biomass andthe myrrh are mixed in an about 2:1 ratio, by weight.

In further embodiments, the marine green algae used in the process cancomprise one or more carbohydrates, one or more lipids, one or moreminerals, one or more vitamins, and one or more proteins. In thisregard, the one or more carbohydrates can be selected from the groupconsisting of sugar, cellulose, polysaccharides, and combinationsthereof. Similarly, the one or more polysaccharides can consist ofulvan, the sugar can consist of psicose, and the cellulose can becrystalline. Additionally, the one or more lipids can be selected fromthe group consisting of glycerols, saturated and unsaturated fattyacids, phospholipids, glicolipids, and combinations thereof, and the oneor more vitamins can be selected from the group consisting of vitaminsA, B1, B2, C, and E and combinations thereof.

In certain embodiments, the solvent used to obtain the mixture can bewater. In another embodiment, the additional solvent can be water. Infurther embodiments, the mixture can be heated at a temperature of about95° C. to about 105° C., about 95° C., about 96° C., about 97° C., about98° C., about 99° C., about 100° C., about 101° C., about 102° C., about103° C., about 104° C., or about 105° C. In one embodiment in thisregard, the mixture can be heated at a temperature of about 100° C. Inthis regard, the heating step can be conducted by a normal heatingprocess or by autoclaving the mixture.

In another embodiment, the mixture does not require heating. Accordingto this embodiment, the present process for preparing a moldablebioplastic comprises: mixing an air-dried algal biomass of green algaewith ground myrrh in a solvent along with glycerin (50%) to obtain amixture; homogenizing the mixture; and air drying the homogenizedmixture to form the moldable bioplastic

In certain embodiments, the present subject matter relates to a moldablebioplastic prepared by the processes described herein. In this regard,Cladophora sp. is known as a green alga. As such, it is expected thatthe Cladophora sp.-based biopplastic as prepared herein will includecomponents including, by way of non-limiting example, one or morecarbohydrates selected from the group consisting of sugar, cellulose,polysaccharides, and combinations thereof; one or more polysaccharidesselected from the group consisting of ulvan; cellulose that iscrystalline; sugar consisting of psicose; one or more lipids selectedfrom the group consisting of glycerols, saturated and unsaturated fattyacids, phospholipids, glicolipids, and combinations thereof; one or moreminerals; one or more proteins; and one or more vitamins selected fromthe group consisting of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E and combinationsthereof.

In further embodiments in this regard, the concentration of each ofthese bioactive compounds in the produced algae extract can varyaccording to the age of the algae, metabolic activity, and ecologicaladaptation.

In additional embodiments, the components and quality of the bioplasticscan vary and be adjusted according to the desired purpose of use of thebioplastic. The bioplastic can be prepared as a thick or thinbiomaterial according to the specification intended use. What is mostimportant, regardless of the use of the bioplastic, is that the about2:1 weight ratio of the Cladophora sp. and the myrrh be maintained; theactual amounts or concentrations of each component can be adjustedaccording to the desired use of the biopolymer.

In one embodiment, the present subject matter further relates to acomposition comprising a composite of the moldable bioplastic asdescribed herein and one or more additional components that canoptionally include, by way of non-limiting example, glycerin. The thusproduced composition can be moldable and easily shaped.

In further embodiments, the present subject matter relates to anenvironmentally neutral container comprising the herein describedcomposition. Said neutral container can be shaped into, for example, theform of small containers or bags that can act as alternatives toconventional chemical plastic containers or bags. As such, the containercan be biodegradable and maintain environmental sustainability.Additionally, marine alga may be used to both reduce contamination withphosphorus and eutrophication, along with use of its biomass in makingbiodegradable plastic that can be used in agriculture and can biocompostland.

EXAMPLES Example 1

6 gm of dry algal biomass is thoroughly mixed with 3 gm ground myrrhtogether in 75 ml water. The mixture is then autoclaved or heated atabout 100 C. The resultant autoclaved mixture is further mixed in 25 mlof water until a homogenous thick film is produced. Glycerin 50% may ormay not be added. The mixture is left to dry to form a cohesivealgae-based plastic biocomposite or bioplastic.

Example 2

6 gm of dry algal biomass is mixed with ground myrrh, glycerin (50%) andwater and left to dry to form a cohesive algae-based plasticbiocomposite or bioplastic.

It is to be understood that the bioplastics are not limited to thespecific embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the generic language of the followingclaims enabled by the embodiments described herein, or otherwise shownin the drawings or described above in terms sufficient to enable one ofordinary skill in the art to make and use the claimed subject matter.

We claim:
 1. A process for preparing a moldable bioplastic, the processcomprising: mixing an air-dried algal biomass of green algae with groundmyrrh in a solvent and glycerin (50%) to obtain a mixture; homogenizingthe mixture to obtain a homogenized mixture; and air drying thehomogenized mixture to form the moldable bioplastic; wherein the greenalgae is Cladophora sp. and the Cladophora sp. and the myrrh are mixedin a 2:1 ratio, by weight, respectively.
 2. The process as recited inclaim 1, wherein the solvent is water.
 3. The process as recited inclaim 1, wherein the green algae comprises one or more carbohydratesselected from the group consisting of sugar, cellulose andpolysaccharides; one or more lipids selected from the group consistingof glycerols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids andglicolipids; one or more minerals, one or more vitamins selected fromthe group consisting of vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and E, and one or moreproteins; and wherein the one or more polysaccharide is ulvan, thecellulose is crystalline; and the sugar is psicose.